The Knicks finished what Isiah Thomas labled a “light” practice at the Toyota Center and while Thomas was talking with the Knick reporters, a few players were placing friendly wagers on shots from various places on the court. No doubt a relaxed atmosphere for a team that stole a win from the Denver Nuggets the night before.
But down the other end of the floor, Channing Frye was all business. He was dripping with sweat as he went through various shooting drills with Mark Aguirre, whom I now have named in this blog more times than I have ever spoken with him. But you think Frye is feeling a sense of urgency after going 2-for-11 against Denver?
“If he makes a couple of shots, I think he’ll feel better,” Thomas said. “Everybody kind of feels bad for him now, shoot, he shot an airball the other night!”
It’s more than that with Frye, who, of course, is a much better shooter than the 9 for 43 (20.9 percent) he’s shooting from the floor so far this season. I still can’t get over how passive he plays for a man of 6-11 and a solid 245 pounds. A microcosm of his season to date came early in the first quarter against the Nuggets, when Frye made a great block against Carmello Anthony and grabbed the ball, but then had it taken right out of his hands by a more aggressive Eduardo Najera, who made the layup and was fouled by, yes, Frye.
I know Frye isn’t a typical power forward and that position has probably changed since the days of Charles Oakley, Karl Malone and Antonio Davis (when he was with the Pacers). But when you consider that Eddy Curry isn’t going to get you 10 boards a night – no reason he shouldn’t, he just doesn’t – the Knicks need their power forward to be their best rebounder. Right now, David Lee is their best rebounder. And he comes off the bench.
Last season was last season. Curry wasn’t the first option on the low post like he is this season, so Frye had more looks and more opportunity. But he can’t just live off a long-range jumper and turn himself into Sam Perkins (that’s not my line, I stole that from someone). The Knicks need more out of that position.
* * *
I know it’s been a while since I paid close attention to the NBA, but what has happened to the physical part of the game? It seems no one can make a power move to the basket anymore because all a defender has to do is hold his ground and flop and draw an offensive charge. And, conversely, the slightest bump from a defender draws a blocking foul. Can we let the big boys play a little?
* * *
I thought it was a treat to get to actually watch the Denver Nuggets shoot-around on Wednesday. Why? Because the Knicks don’t let you watch anything. Ever. But this shroud of secrecy isn’t something new or something I can flippantly blame on the paranoia that exists within James Dolan’s Garden. I was told closed practices go back as far as the Red Holzman era. All due respect to The Coach, but how does that make it right? And you wonder why the New York media is filled with speculation and conjecture. Most days that's all we're left with.
* * *
By the way, the previous post I sent was to offer a look into the life of this job. I’ve been approached by more than one aspiring young sportswriter who said they enjoy these occasional peeks into the life to see what it’s like after the game and what it takes to do the job. No, it’s not physical labor and I don’t feel the need to apologize for that. But it can be mentally exhausting and, like anything, it has its moments that can wear you out.
But if it wasn’t fun I wouldn’t be doing it.